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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2024.10.24.620087

Composition of saliva metabolome is significantly associated with SARS-CoV2 infection and with severity of COVID-19 disease

Larios-Serrato, V.·Vazquez-Manjarrez, N.·Resendis-Antonio, O.·Rios-Sarabia, N.·Meza-Marquez, B.·Fiehn, O.·Torres, J.
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Abstract

BackgroundThe metabolome of COVID-19 patients has been studied sparsely, with most research focusing on a limited number of plasma metabolites or small cohorts. This is the first study to test saliva metabolites in COVID-19 patients in a comprehensive way, revealing significant changes linked to disease severity and highlighting saliva is potential as a non-invasive diagnostic tool. MethodsWe included 30 asymptomatic subjects with no prior COVID-19 infection or vaccination, 102 patients with mild SARS-CoV-2 infection, and 61 hospitalized patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 status. Saliva samples were analyzed using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS/MS) in positive and negative ionization modes. ResultsSignificant changes in metabolites were identified in COVID-19 patients, with distinct patterns based on disease severity. Healthy individuals exhibited a well-regulated bacterial network, while severe cases showed disordered microbial networks. Elevated dipeptides such as Val-Glu and Met-Gln in moderate cases suggest specific protease activity related to SARS-CoV-2. Increased acetylated amino acids like N-Acetylserine and N-Acetylhistidine indicate potential biomarkers for stress and disease severity. Bacterial metabolites, including muramic acid and indole-3-carboxaldehyde, were higher in mild-moderate cases, indicating oral microbiota changes. In severe cases, polyamines and organ damage-related metabolites, such as N-acetylspermine and 3-methylcytidine, were significantly increased. Interestingly, metabolites reduced in moderate cases were elevated in severe cases. ConclusionsSaliva metabolomics offers insight into disease progression and potential biomarkers for COVID-19.

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Larios-Serrato, V., Vazquez-Manjarrez, N., Resendis-Antonio, O., Rios-Sarabia, N., Meza-Marquez, B., Fiehn, O., Torres, J.. 2024-10-25. Composition of saliva metabolome is significantly associated with SARS-CoV2 infection and with severity of COVID-19 disease. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.10.24.620087

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